MALUKU – The majority of eastern Indonesia is still underdeveloped. Maluku Province is no exception. The area known as “Tabea” is even considered the fourth poorest or backward province in the country. This was revealed in the Series IV Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Friday afternoon, July 21, 2023. Yesterday’s FGD presented two main speakers, namely the Acting Mayor of Ambon, Drs Bodewin Melkias Wattimena, M.Sc, Academician and Daily Chair of IKA Pattimura University, Dr Ruslan Tawari, MSi.
“Today’s conditions, there is a gap between the west, center and east. Like a flame, the west is bright. The middle was already getting dim. East is already dim or even pitch-dark,” said Bodewin who is familiarly called Pak Win.
Indeed, continued Win, Ambon, as a city in eastern Indonesia, is still progressing. When compared to at the beginning of the independence era or even a few decades ago, the conditions in Ambon and Maluku today are much more advanced. “But when compared to other cities, Ambon is far behind. In terms of transportation and distribution, for example,” said Bodewin. “We (in Ambon) are also progressing. But, progress slowly. Compared to other cities and provinces, we (in Maluku) are relatively far behind,” Bodewin confided.
For that, he asked Jakarta (central government, ed) to show concern. At the very least, he said, the policies taken must be in line with the characteristics of each region. “At some point, we couldn’t afford it because of limited resources and limited transportation. This includes the central policy towards the western, central and eastern regions, which is generalized. In fact, the conditions and needs between regions are clearly different,” added Bodewin.
Bodewin then emphasized that the desired regional independence from regional autonomy could never be maximized in the majority of the eastern region which is dominated by island areas, as long as the sea area has not yet become the authority of the regions. “We have a large sea area, but we cannot maximize it because the sea area is still not under our authority,” he added.
The same thing was conveyed by Dr. Ruslan. According to this Pattimura University (Unpatti) academic, Maluku, which is still relatively far behind from other regions in Indonesia, is swampy and originates from the failure of the (central) government to identify regional needs in each region. As a result, the state management policies adopted have also become erroneous.
“Currently, we are building a country not looking at how to prioritize welfare, but more on how we are rich. So, the country is on the verge of collapse,” said Ruslan, starting his narrative.
The government, said Ruslan, always prioritizes growth. Ironically, on the other hand they leave or forget equity. “If this continues with the way and pattern of the state, then this country will collapse,” warned Ruslan.
Fortunately, he said, the Ambonese in particular and the Moluccas in general have an extraordinary level of love for their country. “Indeed we (formerly) had an RMS. But luckily now we’ve set. So don’t hesitate with us. We really love Indonesia,” he said.
What is important, he added, is that the pattern of government policies in managing the country needs to be revised. Not just fanfare. As an example, he said, in the past, almost all parties proclaimed that they would make an island area like Maluku a national fish barn. In fact, to this day, there are hardly any adequate policy packages to make this happen.
“The debate was extraordinary. But now, the fish barn issue is slowly becoming a distant memory. It hasn’t been completely removed, but the rest are just shadows,” he sneered.
Equivalent to three wangs with the mining sector. So far, statistical data shows that many potential mining sites have not been fully explored. “So for me, it’s not about the numbers listed in the BPS. Earlier the Mayor (Bodewin, ed) said, we need special treatment, “said Ruslan.
“Don’t let the Moluccas say, you don’t think of us anymore. If you don’t think about it anymore, just let it go! Sipadan and Ligitan are like that. Apart from Mother Earth because it is not considered. Maluku is just like the song ‘a lover who is not considered’,” chuckled Ruslan in a slightly scornful tone.
This loud statement was immediately interrupted by Bodewin. According to him, the government’s treatment of Maluku was not like an “unregarded lover”. More precisely, “black lover”. “Come if you want. Later needed new visited. Just like the song ‘dark lover’. Is not it? The fact is so,” Bodewin quipped.
Because of that, he hopes that the East Caucus can become an inspiring medium for the central government to pay attention to areas in eastern Indonesia. The eastern caucus, he said, must combine all forces from the east to then fight together for the welfare of society.
“We need justice. We need attention. We are also nuclear family, not neighbours. We are not secret lovers who will be needed and then visited. Hopefully the caucus can fight for what is our hope in Ambon and Maluku,” he said.
Ruslan said the same thing. “At least, with this caucus, it is an event that can voice things that are the needs of the community. Hopefully with the struggle of this caucus, many figures can be launched from Maluku who want to do something for Maluku,” he hoped.
The East Caucus through the Uslimin Usle Presidium responded positively to Bodewin and Ruslan’s expectations. “In shaa Allah, what emerges from each FGD conducted by the East Caucus, we will summarize and forward it to the (central) government. This includes future presidential candidates who are contesting in the 2024 presidential election,” Usle said.
Upi Asmaradana, who was involved in the birth and existence of the East Caucus, added that all recommendations and votes from eastern Indonesia will be endeavored to reach the government in August. “We will strive for all the aspirations born from the caucus FGDs to the Palace in August. Isn’t that right, Pak Usle,” said Upi who hosted the caucus FGD series.
Previously, at the beginning of the FGD, Uslimin as the Presidium of the Caucus said that the Caucus was present to remind that Indonesia consists of Sabang to Merauke. Therefore, in the arrangement of development and political contestation as well as in the distribution of power, figures and figures from Eastern Indonesia should also receive a proportional place and attention.
“There should be no discrimination against figures and figures from Eastern Indonesia. Just like figures and figures from other regions in Indonesia. Various political and economic policies must truly reflect that Indonesia consists of Sabang to Merauke.
In other languages, national political policies must maintain political balance and regional justice. No one should dominate too much and on the other hand, there are areas that are left behind. And, because the name is the Indonesian East Caucus, the focus area of the caucus’ struggle consists of 22 provinces. In detail, six provinces in the Papua region, two provinces in Maluku, three provinces in Bali, Nusa Tenggara and six provinces in Sulawesi and five other provinces in Kalimantan. (*)
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